Wayne Museum
The Wayne Museum is made up of several historic sites encompassing the history of Wayne, New Jersey for over 200 years.
Visit Us At The Van Riper-Hopper House
For what appears to have been a sleepy, rural town, Wayne has a long and fascinating history. For hundreds of years before European settlement, Munsee speaking peoples lived and travelled throughout the area. In 1695, Arent Schuyler negotiated for land rights with indigenous leaders, eventually claiming 5,500 acres for colonists. This opened the door for Dutch and English families to settle, establishing farms in what was then considered part of Saddle River Township in Bergen County.
Wayne Township, part of Passaic County, was officially established in 1847. Up until the mid-20th century, Wayne was largely made up of farms, with roadside stands dotting Valley Road and Berdan Ave. However, the 19th and 20th centuries saw many local developments that helped to transform the township into what it is today. Man-made lake communities were built in the 1920s, canals, railroads, and an airport offered new forms of transportation, and speakeasies brought some drama to the farm town during Prohibition.
After World War II, the need for more housing grew, and development in Wayne was kickstarted. Many historic structures were lost, but the Van Riper-Hopper House was preserved and dedicated as the township’s first museum on June 6th, 1964. Since then, the Wayne Museum has grown to include a second historic home- the Mead-Van Duyne House. Today, the Wayne Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the township’s long history.
Museum Hours
Wednesday through Sunday: 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Tours on the hour beginning at 10:00 am
All visitors should call in advance for the daily tour schedule as it is subject to change.
About the Museum
Under the direction of the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners and the Township of Wayne, the staff at the Wayne Museum are dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of Wayne through our two historic sites; the Van Riper-Hopper House and the Mead-Van Duyne House. Both buildings are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Through tours, lectures, and community events, the Wayne Museum promotes the exploration of life in Wayne, both past and present, the events and people who have shaped local history, and the need for historic preservation.
The Wayne Museum is the property of the Township of Wayne and operated by the County of Passaic.
Contact Us
The Wayne Museum
533 Berdan Avenue
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-706-6640 ext. 1156
General Admission
Adults………………………… $5.00
Children (7-17)……………. $3.00
Children (under 6)………..FREE